Have I Thanked You? Fuzzy Wedding Day Memories

Have I Thanked You? Fuzzy Wedding Day Memories

I took a long car trip recently and had a few hours to sit and think. I was driving through Osage county where the ghosts of my past reside. My mind went back to early summer of 2005. I had just graduated from college, was soon-to-be married and was in the process of saying goodbye to my Grandpa who was battling cancer.

As fate would have it, my Grandpa passed 5 days before my wedding. In fact, he told me the last time we spoke that he wouldn't be there. I told him that I understood and that it was ok for him to go.

It was my Grandma's wish that all go on as planned. We would spend Tuesday and Wednesday planning the funeral, we would celebrate Grandpa's life and lay him to rest on Thursday, have the wedding rehearsal on Friday, and get hitched on Saturday afternoon. The term emotional rollercoaster has never been more relevant.

God was good to my family. He gave us the fuel to get through the week. He gave us laughs when we desperately needed them and a tremendous amount of friends to lean on. And best of all- we were together. Something I miss now that two family pillars are missing and my cousins and I are in the throes of relocations and child rearing mania.

I thought of the days leading up to my wedding. Grief is no excuse for bad behavior. I hope I showed my gratitude to the friends and family. I am going to make a late at best attempt to mention some of you here. My sincere apologies if your name is absent. I am sure that there are holes in my memory.

Angie & Teresa- The Aunts everyone wants to inherit by marriage. If you were at my wedding you probably noticed the amazing Kentucky rose floral arrangements, center pieces, cake topper, bouquets, and boutineirres. Angie, Teresa, and Gram Mary worked tirelessly to transform FBC Barnsdall into something even more beautiful than I could ever have imagined or been able to afford. My reception had a custom made gazebo that turned a gym into something insanely lovely. I will never be able to repay their time and love that was put into every detail. They made my day. Everything beautiful was their doing. They created my fairy tale. Thank you.

Douglas Phillips- Hair god. Douglas did my hair and most of my bridal party. We were hotties. He also went above & beyond, he took time off to come to the ceremony and rescued me from a hair emergency when my veil fell off 20 minutes before go time. I also loved that my cousin Leigh and BFf Morgan helped save the day when I discovered my veil had been left at home on the way to have our hair done. Morgan and Carly retrieved it and Leigh & the girls took me to get started. What a fun memory! Thank you.

My MIL Cyndi- The hostess with the mostess. I had a beautiful "Tuscan" rehearsal dinner with candle dripped wine bottles, grapes & cheese, grapevines, and my favorite touch- framed wedding photos of all the married friends/family members in attendance. We ate pastas from Zio's. Speeches were given, tears shed, and two families came together. I loved every minute. Thank you.

Emily Atterberry- the faux bride. The bride never plays herself in rehearsal. I was "Emily" at her wedding so she could watch. Emily stepped in and was me. I grew up wanting to be like Emily, if only in wedding rehearsals, I was! Thanks, Em.

Chris Scully- My cousin/hero. Chris slipped me a wad of money on my way to our get away car and told me to spend it on something frivolous on our honeymoon. Maybe he knew what life is like as a broke newlywed. But I love that he did that. Thank you.

Aunt Glenda and Aunt Karla- Super Aunts. Along with (wo)man power from Grannie B and my cousins, my bridal luncheon was provided for the wedding party. We had chicken salad croissants, fruit salad, and strawberry lemonade. It was beautiful and delicious. It was above and beyond. Thank you. I wish Aunt Karla were here to read my blog. Hopefully it would make her laugh sometimes. I miss her laugh.

Highland Park Baptist Church- Our First. HPBC was our first experience in ministry. Those were the salad days! We loved that group so much. They brought a whole van full of people to our wedding 2 and a half hours away. That was so precious. They were great at support and celebrations. Thank you.

John, Kelly, Jamie, Staci, Jil, Haley, and Cory Lynne- Oklahoma's Got Talent. Thanks for making the trip and making my wedding so pleasant to listen to. It was like being at a concert. As a music lover it was everything I wanted. Maybe it was a little long but worth it! Thank you for preparing & performing. I watch you ever June 18 on DVD.

Kenyon- Reverend Uncle Geezer. Ryland's uncle did our counseling and our ceremony. It was heartfelt and funny. He did skip chapter six in our counseling. There are some topics uncles just don't want to talk about. Thank you.

Mom/Dad/Fred/Cyndi- Thanks for paying!

Maids/Men/Girls/Bearers/Ushers/Lighters- I hope you know we love you. Thanks for finding dresses, renting tuxes, and loving us despite having to stand on stage for 45 minutes.

Hilary- I'm so sorry you weren't a bridesmaid. I will forever regret that. If we ever renew our vows you are guaranteed the maid of honor spot! You saved the candle lighting day, but you are my sister now and I wish I would have had you standing on stage with me.

Steph- You were my sanity. That's all I can say. And we won't talk about what happened in the bathroom. All I can say is- I think we're even, pal.

I know I've neglected someone. I'm sincerely sorry.

To all the attendees, gift givers, supporters, friends- thank you all. I hope if anyone didn't get a thank you six years ago you are thanked now. I'm so glad to have such a sweet day in my memory. It was even made sweeter contrasted against the events if the wedding week. Regardless, God is good. I have more proof than one would ever need.